WASHINGTON
-- The Federal Election Commission is making public three cases resolved
in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. This brings to 177
the total number of cases released since the ADR program began October
2, 2000. The program's goal is to expedite resolution of some enforcement
matters, reduce the cost of processing complaints, and enhance overall
FEC enforcement. Closed ADR negotiated settlement summaries are available
in the FEC's Press and Public Records offices.

For a case to be considered for ADR treatment, a respondent
must express willingness to engage in the ADR process, agree to set aside
the statute of limitations while the case is pending in the ADR Office,
and agree to participate in bilateral negotiations and, if necessary,
mediation.

Bilateral negotiations through ADR are oriented toward reaching
an expedient resolution with a mutually agreeable settlement that is both
satisfying to the respondent(s) and in compliance with the Federal Election
Campaign Act (FECA). Resolutions reached through direct and, when necessary,
mediated negotiations are submitted to the Commissioners for final approval.
If a resolution is not reached in bilateral negotiation, the case proceeds
by mutual agreement to mediation. It should be noted that cases resolved
through ADR are not precedential.

1.

ADR 207

RESPONDENTS:

(a) Jose L. Rivera

(b) Cannon for Congress(UT/03), Curtis S. Bramble, treasurer

(c) Chris Cannon

(d) Marco Diaz

SOURCE:

MUR 5464: Russell Sias

SUBJECT:

Foreign national contributions

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

(a)
Respondent, in an effort to avoid similar errors in the future, agrees to make himself knowledgeable on information available from the Commission such as the Citizen’s Guide and the brochure titled Foreign Nationals. In addition, Respondent will host at least one additional radio program in which he will provide information about campaign finance and the political process to his Spanish language speaking radio audience, within six months of the effective date of this agreement.

(b)
Respondents, in an effort to avoid similar errors in the future, agree to have the Treasurer, as well as Marco Diaz, attend a FEC seminar for Congressional Candidates and Committees within 12 months of the effective date of this agreement.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 207 under case number in the Enforcement Query System. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington.

2.

ADR 229

RESPONDENTS:

Van Hollen for Congress (MD/08), Jennifer L. Smith, treasurer

SOURCE:

MUR 5477: Chuck Floyd

SUBJECT:

Use of congressional staff and resources for campaign activity

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

The ADR Office recommends the matter to be dismissed and the Commission agrees to close the file.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 229 under case number in the Enforcement Query System. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington.

3.

ADR 233

RESPONDENTS:

Von's Grocery Company

SOURCE:

MUR 5503: Jaime Vega

SUBJECT:

Corporate contribution

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

The ADR Office recommends the Commission take no further action and the Commission agrees with the recommendation and closes the file.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 233 under case number in the Enforcement Query System. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington.